Test Drive II - The Duel |
Copyright/Publisher: Hit Squad/Accolade, Designer: Distinctive Software, inc., Programmed by: Kris Hatlelid &
Kevin Pickell, Producer: Selley Day, Tests: Pam Levins, Art By: John Boechler & Theresa Henry,
Music: Kris Hatlelid, Manual: Jeff Hoff, Release Year: 1989, Genre: Racing Sports, Number Of Players: 1
Yet more vroom, this time in real cars meant for real roads, with police
cars and even ore terrifying than that, other cars coming speeding towards
you in the opposite direction. (I wonder when they're going to bring out a
racing game based on the new Orion L Popular Plus for the C64?) Porsche
versus Ferrari, the endless challenge for supremacy amongst the super
cares rages on.
The Duel is option city - you can chose which one of the super speedy
cars you want to take for the ride of a lifetime. There are 12 levels of
skill: the first four give you automatic gears, the rest you have to
change up and down with the fire button.
There's also a fast mode, you can drive faster than the speed of light
but there is a loss of detail. The in-game music can get rather annoying
after a while so it's a good job that hitting the Q key toggles the
twee tune on and off.
Of course, the real high-speed, super-thrill feel of motor racing
could never be transferred fully to the computer screen but if you want
the to try and get the feel of road racing rather than staying safely
to the grand prix tracks The Duel is the game for you.
There's even a radar detector in the sun visor which comes in very
useful when the cops are on your tail. (That sounds like it could be
useful - Ed.). If the light flashes and you hear a few beeps then the
cops are just round the corner, at which point it's up to you to decide
- do you try and outrun the cops or stop and get yourself a speeding ticket?
The Duel is great fun, especially when you crash into the back of
police cars - your windscreen shatters before your eyes. If only I had one
of those vibrating chairs.
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